News & Updates

Month: April 2016

Congressman Jim ClyburnKingstree, SC — Congressman James Clyburn and Former State Representative and CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers will be the featured speakers at the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “March on Ballot Boxes” speech. The event will be held on Sunday, May 8 at the Tomlinson High School athletic field in Kingstree, SC – the original location of Dr. King’s Mother’s Day 1966 speech. According to historians, Dr. King’s speech was one of only three public speeches he gave in the Palmetto State. News anchor Ann McGill from Live 5 News WCSC-TV will be the event emcee.

Bakari SellersJust a few months prior to Dr. King’s speech, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, allowing the majority of Kingstree’s citizens the right to vote. President Johnson called the day, “a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory that has even been won.” Dr. King’s visit to Kingstree would be an important stop on his crusade to help rid African American voters of the fear of voting.

Both Clyburn and Sellers will share their thoughts on the historical significance of Dr. King’s speech, their predictions for the future of politics in the United States and their views on civil rights today. Clyburn was present at the original speech in 1966 and is thankful to be able to share his experience with the Kingstree community and others in attendance.

“I am so pleased to be a part of this historical event,” said Clyburn. “It is an opportunity for our community to come together and reflect on how far we have come and how far we need to go to achieve true equality for all.”

A native of South Carolina, Sellers is personally honored to be able to pay tribute to the state’s difficult history, while looking ahead to its promising future.

“I am a child of the Civil Rights Movement and I always like to remember those whose shoulders I stand on,” said Sellers. “I believe this event is not about what South Carolina is or was, but what it can be.”

In addition to speeches from Clyburn and Sellers, the schedule of events for the day includes a video presentation of Dr. King’s “March on Ballot Boxes” speech; the unveiling of a historical marker made possible by the SC Department of Archives and History; a presentation of awards for youth essay and art contests; and a gospel celebration. The original recording of Dr. King’s speech has been made available by the University of South Carolina. The university houses the file in their Moving Image Research Collection.

While members of the King family are unable to attend the event, through their representatives they have shared their thanks to Williamsburg County according to Michael Allen, who is a member of the event planning committee.

“Our planning committee was in direct communication with the offices of Dr. King’s family,” says Allen. “While they are unable to attend, we know they appreciate everything we are doing to commemorate and honor their father.”

Notably, the honorary chairs for next Sunday’s event are Ambassador Andrew Young and Dr. Clarence Jones. Both individuals played important roles in the Civil Rights Movement and were a part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s trusted inner circle.

Young and Jones were present when Dr. King shared his “March on Ballot Boxes” speech on the athletic field of Tomlinson High School in 1966, moving thousands of attendees to vote.

“It is an honor to be a part of this event and pay tribute to Dr. King,” said Young. “As we continue to fight for equal rights for all, it is important to remember the impact that one individual can have on the lives of millions.”

Both honorary chairs feel this event is more than just a way to commemorate how far we have come – it serves as a reminder of how much farther we have to go.

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is now endangered by the restrictions following the Roberts Court decision in Shelby v Holder in 2013 – which required pre-clearance from the Justice Department before they could change the eligibility requirements in their State to exercise the right to vote,” said Jones. “Thus, it is more important than ever, especially in South Carolina, former cradle of the Confederacy, that Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at Kingstree be commemorated.”

The event has been made possible through community support, volunteers and contributions from the Town of Kingstree, Williamsburg County and many other corporate sponsors. Mount Pleasant-based marketing and event planning agency, Trio Solutions Inc., was hired to oversee the event production.

The May 8 event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and to arrive by 3 p.m. The program will begin at 3:30 p.m. Parking will be available at Anderson Elementary School and Farmers Telephone Cooperative near the Tomlinson High School athletic fields on Tomlinson Street in Kingstree.

5K Walk/Run – Black River Run
May 7 at 9 a.m.
Williamsburg County 4-H and Williamsburg Tourism Board are hosting a 5K in Kingstree.
The Black River Run will benefit the Junior Leadership of Williamsburg participants. Following completion of the six month leadership program, the participants will graduate and head to Washington D.C. for a leadership tour. The course will begin at Gilland Park, run through residential areas and end up back at the park. A 5K is equal to 3.1 miles. Game day registration begins at 8 a.m. on May 7, and will end at 8:45 a.m. The race will begin at 9 a.m. Following the race, an awards ceremony will be held. If you have questions about the race, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Leslee Spivey at the Chamber (843) 355-6431 or Carly Smith at the Extension Office (843) 355-6106.

General parking for the event is available at the locations listed below. VIP Parking will be at Pressley Funeral Home and the lot adjacent to Tomlinson High School athletic field. Individuals participating in the actual program will park at Pressley Funeral Home. Program will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 3 p.m.

Starting May 7, there will be an evolving exhibit at the C. Williams Rush Gallery/Museum of African-American Arts Culture in Kingstree, SC. The exhibition is a result of the collaboration between the gallery/museum and the Tomlinson High School Class of 1966 and opening in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “March on Ballot Boxes” speech set for May 8 at the original speech location on Tomlinson Street.

The evolving exhibit will include artifacts, ephemera, mementos and other historical items from southern states, including South Carolina and Williamsburg County. Added throughout the year and on an ongoing basis, the items featured in the exhibit are all related to activities that occurred during the Civil Rights Movement.

The exhibit will remain at the C. Williams Rush Gallery/Museum of African-American Arts Culture until May 31, 2017. Upon its conclusion, it will be transferred to Francis Marion University, which has been named the exhibit custodian. Cassandra Williams Rush is the curator for the exhibit.

Civil Rights programs and activities are scheduled to coincide with the opening of the Civil Rights Exhibition, and will culminate with a main program in June 2016.

The exhibit hours are Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you would to schedule a visit outside of these hours, please call the gallery/museum ahead of time. Donations are accepted.

The 50th Anniversary for March on Ballot Boxes Planning Committee has announced two honorary co-chairs for the upcoming commemorative event on May 8. Ambassador Andrew Jackson Young, Jr. and Dr. Clarence Jones have agreed to serve as honorary co-chairs. Both individuals played important roles in the Civil Rights Movement and were a part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s trusted inner circle.

Young and Jones were present when Dr. King shared his “March on Ballot Boxes” speech on the athletic field of Tomlinson High School in Kingstree in 1966, moving thousands of attendees to vote.

Ambassador Andrew Young Jr.

“It is an honor to be a part of this event and pay tribute to Dr. King,” said Young. “As we continue to fight for equal rights for all, it is important to remember the impact that one individual can have on the lives of millions.”

For some, this event is more than just a way to commemorate how far we have come – it serves as a reminder of how much farther we have to go.

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is now endangered by the restrictions following the Roberts Court decision in Shelby v Holder in 2013 – which required pre-clearance from the Justice Department before they could change the eligibility requirements in their State to exercise the right to vote,” said Jones. “Thus, it is more important than ever, especially in South Carolina, former cradle of the Confederacy, that Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech at Kingstree be commemorated.”